Dubai sends 68 tonnes of urgent medical supplies to Gaza

Dubai Humanitarian carries out key aid operation in partnership with World Health Organisation

Dubai Humanitarian will deliver the critical medical supplies to Gaza through Al Arish, Egypt. Wam

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Dubai on Wednesday sent a plane carrying more than 68 tonnes of critical medical supplies to Gaza in a show of support to civilians enduring a worsening humanitarian crisis.

The crucial aid effort, directed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, was co-ordinated by relief response hub, Dubai Humanitarian.

A Boeing 747 plane left the emirate on Wednesday morning, loaded with essentials provided by the World Health Organisation.

The supplies, to be delivered to the besieged enclave by way of Al Arish, in Egypt, are expected to provide life-saving assistance to more than 600,000 people.

Mohammed Al Shaibani, chairman of Dubai Humanitarian, said assisting civilians caught up in the conflict remained paramount. “We reaffirm our commitment to supporting those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza," he said.

"The continuation of this air bridge, which has been operational since the onset of the emergency, reflects the compassion and solidarity that guide us under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

"Our priority is to ensure that life-saving aid reaches the most vulnerable swiftly, offering help and hope in the face of unimaginable hardship.”

Dr Richard Peeperkorn, representative for the WHO in the occupied Palestinian territory, thanked the Emirates for its continuing support.

“WHO is grateful for the generous support from the government of the UAE and USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), which will be crucial in addressing Gaza's urgent health needs," he said. "The UAE-donated flight carrying $1 million worth of health supplies, supported by BHA, exemplifies the power of collaboration in delivering timely aid during extremely challenging circumstances.

"The shipment includes essential supplies for malnutrition treatment, trauma care, surgery and primary health care, all critical for maintaining health services amid severe shortages. Additionally, the delivery contains tents to help expand hospital capacity and meet the growing health demands in Gaza.”

At least 46,707 Palestinians have been killed and 110,265 wounded since the war with Israel began in October 2023, Gaza's Health Ministry says.

The latest aid package was sent as efforts to secure a peace deal intensify.

Hamas said on Wednesday it had handed its response to a deal to halt fighting in Gaza and exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and detainees to mediators.

The US, Egypt and Qatar have spent the past year trying to broker an agreement to pause the fighting and secure the release of the hostages captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023 during an attack on southern Israel that triggered the conflict.

Nearly 100 people are still being held in Gaza and the Israeli military believes at least a third of them are dead.